Evaluation of Employee Noise Exposures and Ergonomic Risks During Dental Procedures at a Veterinary Hospital

Details

• Personal Author:
  Brueck, Scott E. ; Grimes, George R. ; Li, Jessica F. ; Ramsey, Jessica G.
• Corporate Authors:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Description:
  The NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation Program received a request from employees of a veterinary hospital who were concerned about noise exposures and ergonomic risks during dental cleanings and other dental procedures. During our site visit in the veterinary hospital, we observed work processes, practices, and conditions
  
  measured employee exposures to noise during dental procedures
  
  observed ergonomic-related risk factors during dental procedures
  
  and conducted confidential interviews about employee health. We found that employee noise exposures were under the lowest occupational exposure limits. Some employees used hearing protection that reduced noise at the ear more than needed. Although few employees complained of noise exposure during dental procedures, some were concerned with noise in the kennel. Equipment design or placement required employees to use awkward postures during dental procedures including procedure tables that were not height adjustable and that limited employees' leg placement and movement when seated. Some employees reported back pain, neck pain, hand or wrist discomfort, and upper extremity discomfort. We observed several other potential workplace hazards including work practices that were not in compliance with bloodborne pathogen exposure prevention, X-rays taken in a shared space, and improper chemotherapy drug storage. If the veterinary hospital provides earplugs for use during dental procedures, we recommended the earplugs have a lower noise reduction rating. We also recommended the hospital train employees on proper use of hearing protection and measure employees' noise exposures in the kennel area. To minimize musculoskeletal disorders, we recommended providing (1) procedure tables where the height can be adjusted
  
  (2) mobile, adjustable medical computer carts
  
  (3) antifatigue mats near procedure tables
  
  and (4) surgical loupes to reduce neck flexion/forward tilt. Finally, we provided recommendations to address the other health and safety issues we identified during our evaluation.
  
  
• Subjects:
  Dental Offices Ear Ergonomics Health Personnel Hearing Musculoskeletal Diseases Musculoskeletal System Noise Noise, Occupational Occupational Health Safety Sense Organs Veterinarians

  More +
• Keywords:
  Dentistry MSD Musculoskeletal Musculoskeletal System Disorders Noise Exposure OSHA Region 9 Veterinary Dental Procedures Veterinary Dentistry Veterinary Hospital Veterinary Medicine Veterinary Services

  More +
• Source:
  Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, HHE 2018-0165-3374, 2020 Jun ; :1-36
• Series:
  Health Hazard Evaluation Reports (HHE)
• DOI:
  https://doi.org/10.26616/NIOSHHHE201801653374
• Publisher:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Field Study
• Place as Subject:
  Arizona ; OSHA Region 9
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  DFSE - Division of Field Studies and Engineering
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  36 pdf pages
• Contributor:
  Booher, Donald E. ; Hamilton, Cheryl ; Moore, Kevin ; Rinsky, Jessica ; Watts, Shawna
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20060155
• NTIS Accession Number:
  PB2021-100163
• Citation:
  NIOSH [2020]. Evaluation of employee noise exposures and ergonomic risks during dental ; procedures at a veterinary hospital. By Li JF, Grimes GR, Brueck SE, Ramsey J. Cincinnati, OH: ; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ; National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Health Hazard Evaluation Report 2018-1065-3374,
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2020
• NORA Priority Area:
  Services
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• NAICS and SIC Codes:
  541940 - Veterinary Services - (NAICS)
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:a9e91dafc5b0e6fc59728499d02eacf3b629a9f59afdad05d4f8c672594c0e7bd7f224f311640f93b148d2b15caebe3b047ab2fab61aaacd5cb4f315b4179570
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/172325/cdc_172325_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 981.68 KB ]